Brittney Kiyeny – CNA to Mayo Clinic
Brittney Kiyeny successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program through CRC’s educational partner Dakota County Technical College.
Thanks to the program’s hands-on skills lab and informative lectures, she gained the confidence and knowledge needed to pass her certification exams. With support from instructors and staff, Brittney is now working in patient care at Mayo Clinic.
“It has been a true pleasure to participate in CRC’s CNA program through Dakota County Technical College this summer. The program’s combination of hands-on training in the skills lab and informative lectures allowed me to complete my required hours with confidence and ease. As I continue to pursue a career in healthcare, I am deeply grateful to DEED and the administrators and instructors who made this no-cost opportunity possible. Thanks to their support, I successfully passed both my skills and knowledge certification exams. Equally rewarding was the strong bond among my classmates—we encouraged and supported one another every day to ensure no one was left behind. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to South Metro, to Meriem Aman, program coordinator at Dakota County Technical College, to our instructor Karen Korzenowski, RN, and most of all to Ibrahim Mohamed, whose support and dedication along the way made this journey possible. For anyone interested in earning their CNA certification at no cost, I highly recommend reaching out to Ibrahim Mohamed to learn more about this amazing opportunity.”
Kafe Abdi – Behavioral Therapist Technician
Kafe Abdi successfully secured a position as a Level 2 Behavioral Therapist Technician at Khair Recovery Center in Eden Prairie. In this role, Kafe applies ABA therapy techniques to support children and families in the behavioral health field. Earning $23/hour, this opportunity marks an important step forward in Kafe’s career and dedication to making a positive impact.
“My name is Kafe Abdi, and I’m sophomore in college currently majoring in Nursing. Taking the free CNA classes at CRC was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made for my future career. I also appreciate DEED funding this targeted program It gave me a clearer understanding of what I’ll be dealing with in the healthcare field, and made everything feel a little more real. The class itself was long, but it didn’t feel that way—it went by quickly because it was so hands-on and immersive. Being able to actually practice what we learned helped me connect the dots in a way that just reading or watching videos never could. What I appreciated most was how supportive the environment was. I always felt comfortable asking questions, and the instructors really took time to make sure we understood the material. Even the parts that seemed hard at first started to make sense, and I actually looked forward to coming in and learning something new. The workload was manageable, especially since everyone worked hard and helped each other stay on track. This class didn’t just prepare me for certification it made me more confident about my future as a nurse.”
Dalad Oday – Therapist
Dalad Oday successfully completed the Phlebotomy program through Community Resource Center. Thanks to the hands-on training and support from CRC staff, she gained the skills and confidence needed to advance her career. Dalad secured a position as a therapist at St. Croix Hospice, starting July 7th, 2025, with an hourly wage of $27. In addition to her new role, she is continuing her education by enrolling in post-secondary studies to further her professional growth.
“It has been a pleasure to attend the phlebotomy course at CRC, funded by DEED. I am deeply grateful to my instructors, classmates, and everyone who supported me throughout the program. Thanks to the training I received at CRC, I am now working as a therapist in hospice care. Additionally, I am enrolled in post-secondary education to further expand my skills and advance my career.”
Asma Yusuf – Phlebotomist
Asma Yusuf completed the Phlebotomy program at Dakota County Technical College through South Metro’s healthcare training initiative. The program provided her with the practical skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field.
She is now preparing to begin her new role as a phlebotomist at CSL Plasma in Minneapolis, starting in June 2025 at a wage of $18.20 per hour.
“I truly enjoyed being part of CRC’s Phlebotomy program last spring. The mix of practical experience and clear instruction helped me build confidence and complete the program successfully. I’m especially thankful to DEED, Ms.Fartun, our instructor Ms. Hanifa and Ibrahim Mohamed for their guidance and encouragement throughout the process.
If you’re thinking about becoming a phlebotomist, I highly recommend reaching out to learn more about this great, no-cost program.”